Ultra short throw (UST) projectors represent a significant advancement in home theater technology. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far back in a room, USTs can create massive images while sitting just inches from your wall. This technology has become increasingly popular as more people seek theater-like experiences at home without dedicating an entire room to projection.
The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 ($2,999) and AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,999) both launched in late 2022, bringing triple-laser technology to different price points. Both projectors have received firmware updates throughout 2023, improving HDR handling and adding smart home integration features.
The most significant difference between these projectors is their brightness output. The LTV-2500 produces 2000 ANSI lumens, while the LTV-3500 Pro reaches 3500 ANSI lumens. But what does this mean in real-world use?
ANSI lumens measure standardized brightness output - think of it like the maximum volume on your stereo. The higher brightness of the LTV-3500 Pro means it can better overcome ambient light, making it more versatile for bright living rooms or spaces with windows. The LTV-2500 still produces a bright, vibrant image, but it's best suited for rooms where you have more control over lighting.
From my testing, the LTV-2500 performs admirably in the evening or with blinds drawn, but the LTV-3500 Pro maintains punchy, vibrant images even with moderate ambient light. This makes it more suitable for multipurpose rooms where you can't always control lighting conditions.
Both projectors use triple-laser technology (using separate red, green, and blue lasers) to produce incredibly accurate colors. This technology allows them to display more colors than traditional lamp-based projectors, covering about 107% of the BT.2020 color space - which is exceptional for any display device.
Key shared features:
The LTV-3500 Pro includes slightly more advanced image processing, particularly for motion handling and HDR content. However, in controlled lighting, the core image quality between the two is remarkably similar.
Both projectors feature identical 0.25:1 throw ratios, meaning they can project a 100-inch image from roughly 7.2 inches away from your wall. This makes them perfect for clean, minimalist setups where you don't want a projector mounted on your ceiling or taking up space in the middle of your room.
Installation considerations:
In a dedicated home theater setting, both projectors excel. The LTV-2500 particularly shines here, offering nearly identical performance to its more expensive sibling when ambient light is controlled. Both projectors deliver:
This is where the LTV-3500 Pro justifies its higher price tag. The additional brightness helps maintain image quality during daytime viewing or with lights on. If you're planning to use the projector in a multipurpose room, this extra headroom makes a noticeable difference.
Both projectors offer excellent gaming performance:
The LTV-3500 Pro adds ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) support, which automatically switches to game mode when it detects a gaming console.
At $2,999, the LTV-2500 represents excellent value for:
The $5,999 price tag brings:
Consider these factors when choosing between the LTV-2500 and LTV-3500 Pro:
My recommendation: Choose the LTV-2500 if you have a dedicated viewing space or can control ambient light. It offers tremendous value and nearly identical performance to its premium sibling in optimal conditions. Opt for the LTV-3500 Pro if you need maximum versatility or have challenging lighting conditions to overcome.
Remember that both projectors represent the current state of UST technology, offering features and performance that were unimaginable just a few years ago. Either choice will provide an impressive home theater experience when properly setup and paired with an appropriate screen.
For optimal results with either projector, consider investing in a quality ALR screen designed for UST projectors - it will significantly improve contrast and image quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
| AWOL Vision LTV-2500 ($2,999) | AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,999) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Most critical spec for ambient light performance | |
| 2,000 ANSI lumens (best for controlled lighting) | 3,500 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Color Technology - Impacts vibrancy and accuracy of colors | |
| RGB Triple Laser with 107% BT.2020 | RGB Triple Laser with 107% BT.2020 |
| Gaming Performance - Lower numbers mean less delay between controller and action | |
| 8ms@1080p/120Hz, 15ms@4K/60Hz | 8ms@1080p/120Hz, 15ms@4K/60Hz with ALLM |
| HDR Support - Better HDR means more dynamic range in bright scenes | |
| HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall projector needs to be | |
| 0.25:1 (7.2" for 100" screen) | 0.25:1 (7.2" for 100" screen) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality for those not using external speakers | |
| 36W stereo with Dolby Atmos | 36W stereo with Dolby Atmos |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of use and streaming capabilities | |
| Android 9.0, Control4 ready | Android 9.0, Control4 ready, includes Fire TV Stick 4K Max |
| Value Proposition - Consider room environment when deciding | |
| Better value for dedicated theaters | Worth premium if needing bright room performance |
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is significantly brighter at 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to the AWOL Vision LTV-2500's 2,000 ANSI lumens. This makes the LTV-3500 Pro better suited for rooms with ambient light.
The LTV-2500 costs $2,999 while the LTV-3500 Pro is priced at $5,999, a $3,000 difference.
Both perform excellently in dedicated theaters, but the LTV-2500 represents better value since its lower brightness isn't a disadvantage in controlled lighting conditions.
Yes, both the LTV-2500 and LTV-3500 Pro offer identical gaming performance with 8ms input lag at 1080p/120Hz and 15ms at 4K/60Hz, though the LTV-3500 Pro adds ALLM support.
Both the LTV-2500 and LTV-3500 Pro have a 0.25:1 throw ratio, requiring about 7.2 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image.
Yes, both projectors perform best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen designed for UST projectors, though it's more critical for the LTV-2500 due to its lower brightness.
Both support HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, but the LTV-3500 Pro handles HDR content slightly better due to its higher brightness capability.
The LTV-3500 Pro is better suited as a TV replacement due to its higher brightness, while the LTV-2500 is ideal for controlled lighting environments.
Yes, both use RGB triple laser technology and cover 107% of the BT.2020 color space, offering identical color performance when properly calibrated.
Both the LTV-2500 and LTV-3500 Pro feature a 25,000-hour laser light source life expectancy.
Both run Android 9.0, but the LTV-3500 Pro includes a Fire TV Stick 4K Max for enhanced streaming capabilities.
The LTV-2500 offers better value for dedicated theater spaces, while the LTV-3500 Pro justifies its higher price if you need superior brightness for bright room viewing.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: projectorjunkies.com - dreamediaav.com - projectorjunkies.com - avsforum.com - nothingprojector.com - projectorreviews.com - vividstorm.eu - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com - digitaltrends.com - youtube.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com - awolvision.de - projectorreviews.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com
